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    Home » Recipes » Holiday

    Oven Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter

    Author: Peter · Published: Nov 23, 2024

    Jump to Recipe

    A classic Oven Roasted Turkey is what everyone waits for on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Herb Butter infuses flavor, ensuring a moist and crispy bird. The crowning glory of your festive feast is sure to impress.

    serving oven roast turkey

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Flavor - the herb butter made with fresh herbs penetrates the meat, bursting with flavor
    • Crispy Skin - spreading butter underneath and over the turkey skin ensures a crispy, golden skin and makes the turkey extra tasty
    • Feeds a Crowd - perfect for parties and gatherings, with enough for leftovers

    Ingredients

    • Whole Turkey
    • Butter
    • Garlic
    • Herbs - Thyme, Sage and Rosemary
    • Lemon Zest (optional)
    • Salt and Pepper
    thyme and butter rub
    herb butter in bowl

    Equipment You'll Need

    • Roasting Pan with a Rack
    • Basting Brush
    • Meat Thermometer
    • Paper Towel
    • Turkey Baster
    • Aluminum Foil
    • Kitchen Twine (optional)

    How to Cook Oven Roasted Turkey

    1. Thaw Turkey - fully thaw in fridge, allow for 24 hours of defrosting for every 4-5 pounds (2kg) of Turkey.
    2. Prepare Herb Butter - mix together softened Butter, chopped Herbs, minced Garlic, Lemon Zest and Black Pepper.
    3. Preheat - warm oven to 350°F (180°C) in fan forced oven.
    4. Prepare Turkey - wash Turkey and remove giblets. Pat dry with a paper towel. Bring to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Using your hands, carefully separate the skin of the turkey from the Turkey Breast.
    5. Butter Rub - evenly spread half the Herb Butter on the Turkey Breast under the skin. Rub the remaining butter over the rest of the turkey. Save 1 tablespoon of Herb Butter for basting.
    6. Prepare Pan - place Turkey (breast side up) on the rack in the Roasting Pan. Optional: tie the Turkey Legs together using twine. Loosely make a foil tent over the Turkey (if roaster has no lid).
    7. Roast - cook time guidelines are 15 minutes per pound (30 minutes per kilogram). After 1 hour, remove foil to spread remaining Herb Butter over the turkey. Baste with juices every 30 minutes until done. Remove the foil when the turkey is ⅔ of the way cooked to crisp up.
    8. Check Temperature - insert meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, without touching the bone. The turkey is cooked when internal temperature of Turkey Breast is 165°F (75°C) and Turkey Legs is 175°F (80°C).
    9. Rest - remove turkey from oven, cover with foil and allow to rest for 20-30 minutes to allow juices to moisten meat.
    10. Serve - transfer to cutting board, carve and serve with gravy and sides.
    separating turkey skin
    herb butter on turkey

    Oven Roasted Turkey Flavor Ideas

    • Citrus Turkey - add Orange and Lemon slices for a citrus burst
    • Spicy Turkey - add chopped Chili Peppers or Chili Flakes to the Herb Butter, add some slices of Chili Peppers in the Turkey cavity
    • Cajun Spiced Turkey - make a Cajun Butter Rub - mix in Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Oregano and Cayenne Pepper
    • Asian Turkey - marinate Turkey in Soy Sauce, Ginger, Garlic. During the last 30 minutes of roasting, glaze for a sticky, golden finish. To make glaze, simmer ½ cup Soy Sauce, ¼ cup Honey, tablespoon Sesame Oil, 2 teaspoons Grated Ginger and 2 cloves of minced Garlic. Make extra glaze for dipping and serve alongside Asian Roasted Potatoes.
    basting turkey
    roasting turkey in pan

    Recipe Tips and FAQs

    • Meat Thermometer - always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. This ensures it's cooked perfectly and isn't dried out
    • Fresh Herbs - this provides maximum flavor to your Turkey and looks nicer when serving. You can substitute with dried herbs if needed.
    • Tuck in the Wings - this ensures the tips of the Turkey Wings don't burn while roasting
    • Turkey Neck - throw the Turkey Neck into the freezer and use it when making Turkey Broth

    How Do I Make Crispy Turkey Skin?

    After defrosting your Turkey, place back into the fridge uncovered to dry out the skin. Keep in fridge 12-72 hours before roasting. This ensures a super crispy Turkey.

    Do I Need to Brine Turkey?

    This is an effective method to lock in moisture and add flavor. Plan ahead, as this takes 24 hours after defrosting to allow Turkey Brine to penetrate.

    Can I Stuff the Turkey While Roasting?

    Yes, but while some recipes stuff the cavity of the bird, the safest method to enjoy Turkey Stuffing is to make a Stovetop Stuffing. This removes any concern about undercooked juices in the stuffing. It's peace of mind during a very busy day, and it tastes better on the stove top in my opinion.

    Making Easy Turkey Gravy

    1. Strain - separate the Turkey Juices and solids, and skim any extra fat away.
    2. Add Stock - pour into a saucepan, add Chicken Stock or Turkey Stock to the amount of gravy your require.
    3. Heat and Thicken - warm on medium-high heat. Make a slurry of 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of water. Whisk in the slurry and cook for a few minutes until it thickens.
    4. Adjust - season with salt and pepper. Add extra Cornstarch Slurry to thicken or Chicken Broth (or a splash of boiling water) to thin if necessary.
    oven roast turkey on tray

    Storage and Reheating

    • Fridge - place leftover Turkey in airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in refrigerator and enjoy within 3 days.
    • Freezer - within 2 hours of cooking, wrap leftover Turkey in foil to avoid freezer burn. Place in a Ziploc bag and squeeze out excess air. Freeze and enjoy within 3 months.
    • Reheating - thaw in fridge overnight before warming. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). To reheat, add a splash of broth or gravy. Place in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil and heat in the oven for 20-30 minutes. Can also reheat in skillet with gravy on medium heat until warmed though.
    serving oven roast turkey

    Holiday Recipes to Serve with Turkey

    • Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
    • Juniper Berry Gravy
    • Crispy Leaf Duck Fat Potatoes
    • Garlic Butter Green Beans
    • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    • Savory Sweet Potato Mash
    • Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
    • Olivier Russian Potato Salad
    • Leftover Turkey Turnovers with Cranberry and Cheese

    Oven Roasted Turkey that's basted with Herb Butter ensuring flavor, moisture and crispy skin. With tasty flavor variations, how to make your own gravy from drippings and helpful tips, this Roasted Turkey recipe has you covered! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

    A deliciously crispy butter basted turkey with fresh thyme and garlic. A perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas Turkey! Butter Basted Roast Turkey Recipe

    Oven Roasted Turkey

    Oven Roasted Turkey that's basted with Herb Butter ensuring flavor, moisture and crispy skin. With tasty flavor variations, how to make your own gravy from dippings and helpful tips, this Roasted Turkey recipe has you covered!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs 55 minutes mins
    Resting time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course Christmas, Dinner, Main Course, Thanksgiving
    Cuisine American

    Equipment

    • Roasting Pan with Rack
    • Basting Brush
    • meat thermometer
    • Paper Towel
    • Turkey Baster
    • Aluminum Foil
    • Kitchen Twine optional

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Whole Turkey
    • ½ cup (125g) Butter
    • 4 cloves Garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoons fresh Thyme finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoons fresh Rosemary finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoons fresh Sage finely chopped
    • zest from a Lemon optional
    • Salt and Pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Thaw Turkey - fully thaw in fridge, allow for 24 hours of defrosting for every 4-5 pounds (2kg) of Turkey.
    • Prepare Herb Butter - mix together softened Butter, chopped Herbs, minced Garlic, Lemon Zest and Black Pepper.
    • Preheat - warm oven to 350°F (180°C) in fan forced oven.
    • Prepare Turkey - wash Turkey and remove giblets. Pat dry with a paper towel. Bring to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Using your hands, carefully separate the skin of the turkey from the Turkey Breast.
    • Butter Rub - evenly spread half the Herb Butter on the Turkey Breast under the skin. Rub the remaining butter over the rest of the turkey. Save 1 tablespoon of Herb Butter for basting.
    • Prepare Pan - place Turkey (breast side up) on the rack in the Roasting Pan. Optional: tie the Turkey Legs together using twine. Loosely make a foil tent over the Turkey (if roaster has no lid).
    • Roast - cook time guidelines are 15 minutes per pound (30 minutes per kilogram). After 1 hour, remove foil to spread remaining Herb Butter over the turkey. Baste with juices every 30 minutes until done. Remove the foil when the turkey is ⅔ of the way cooked to crisp up.
    • Check Temperature - insert meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, without touching the bone. The turkey is cooked when internal temperature of Turkey Breast is 165°F (75°C) and Turkey Legs is 175°F (80°C).
    • Rest - remove turkey from oven, cover with foil and allow to rest for 20-30 minutes to allow juices to moisten meat.
    • Serve - transfer to cutting board, carve and serve with gravy and sides.
    Keyword Oven Roasted Turkey, roast turkey recipe

    ©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted July 2018, updated November 2024

    You can enjoy a Roast Turkey anytime of year, not just at Thanksgiving or Christmas! A deliciously crispy butter basted turkey with fresh thyme and garlic. Butter Basted Roasted Turkey Recipe
    A deliciously crispy, butter basted turkey with fresh thyme and garlic. A perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas Turkey! Butter Basted Roast Turkey Recipe

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